David A. Harris
David’s practice focuses on the fields of partnership, limited liability company and statutory trust law, with an emphasis on issues relating to the formation, operation and dissolution of private investment funds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles organized as Delaware entities.
His practice also includes state bank regulatory matters (including organization of Delaware limited purpose trust companies), mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions (including matters involving Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)) and other general commercial law counseling.
He regularly delivers third-party legal opinions, including opinions with respect to private investment funds, special purpose entities, perfection of security interests and deal closings.
His clients range from large, multinational corporations to local startup ventures, and include private investment fund sponsors, mutual fund sponsors, and Fortune 500 companies. David is often called upon to provide counsel to other attorneys domestically and internationally on matters relating to Delaware law.
An active member of the Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA), David serves on the DSBA Limited Partnership and LLC Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and updating Delaware’s partnership and LLC statutes. He is a past-chair of the DSBA Commercial Law Section, which is responsible for reviewing and updating legislation involving commercial law matters, including laws relating to statutory trusts, the UCC and banking.
A frequent writer on alternative entities, he is the coauthor of the Bloomberg BNA Corporate Practice Series Portfolio Limited Liability Companies: Legal Aspects of Organization, Operation, and Dissolution.
Experience
Delaware counsel to Bayer AG, advising on certain aspects of internal restructuring and financing in advance of $66 billion acquisition of Monsanto Co. The transaction was named “Deal of the Year” at The European Deal Awards in 2018.
Delaware counsel to Baker Hughes, advising on internal restructuring and $7.4 billion business combination with General Electric Co.
News & Insights
- Publication, Bloomberg Law, November 2024
Melissa DiVincenzo, Dave Harris, Matt Darby, and Emily LaSpina contributed an article to Bloomberg Law outlining several 2024 amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) and the Delaware “alternative entity” statutes.
Honors & Recognitions
The Legal 500 US, mentioned in M&A/corporate and commercial
IFLR1000 United States, listed as a leading Delaware attorney
The Best Lawyers in America, listed in Delaware commercial transactions/UCC law, 2022-2025, business organizations, 2022-2025; Designated “Lawyer of the Year” in commercial transactions / UCC law, 2024
Who’s Who Legal: Private Funds, listed in formation
Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America, included for private funds, alternative entities, and financing, 2024
Professional & Civic
American Bar Association
- Business Law Section (Mergers & Acquisitions Committee)
American College of LLC and Partnership Attorneys (Founding Fellow)
Delaware State Bar Association
- Commercial Law Section (Chair, 2005-2007; Vice Chair, 2003-2005; Secretary, 2001-2003)
- Corporate Law Section (Limited Partnership and LLC Committee)
Education
University of North Carolina School of Law, JD, with honors, 1996
Salisbury University, BA, summa cum laude, 1993
Admissions
- Delaware, 1997
- US District Court for the District of Delaware, 1997
Dave is past-chair of the DSBA Commercial Law Section, which is responsible for reviewing and updating legislation involving commercial law matters, including laws relating to statutory trusts, the UCC and banking.